That is Qiu County, the northern border.
Yuan Tan and Zang Ba went south together.
He announced to the outside world that he would lead an army of 100,000 people to the south, intending to destroy Kuai Liang and seize Xuzhou in one go. In fact, Yuan Tan only had 30,000 direct soldiers. Counting Zang Ba's 15,000 elite soldiers, there were only more than 40,000.
This time, Yuan Tan negotiated back and forth in order to win over Zang Ba. In the end, Yuan Tan promised that as long as he defeated Kuai Liang, Zang Ba would be appointed as the governor of Xuzhou and guard Xuzhou instead of Yuan Jiamu, and Yuan Shao would marry his daughter to Zang Ba, forming a marriage between the two parties.
In addition, Yuan Tan was responsible for the food, grass and equipment needed for this battle south, and Yuan Tan had to pay an additional sum of money.
Yuan Tan agreed to them all.
In Yuan Tan's heart, Zang Ba has been included in the must-kill list because Zang Ba is too domineering and arrogant, and he keeps bargaining with him. The only way to kill Zang Ba is to kill Kuai Liang and make Zang Ba lose his value before he can act.
Now, Zang Ba still needs to be stabilized.
Even so, Yuan Tan was still wary of Zang Ba. When discussing things with Zang Ba, he always asked his personal guards to guard him to prevent Zang Ba from making trouble. The army moved south from the north of Jiqiu County to the county seat of Jiqiu County. After stopping for supplies, it continued southward.
The army arrived at the southern border of Jiqiu County, only eight miles away from Kuai Liang's army. Yuan Tan chose an open and flat place to camp with a nearby river to replenish water sources.
Although the armies were encamped, Zang Ba's and Yuan Tan's armies were in the same camp, but they were stationed separately and subordinated to each other.
Yuan Tan's camp, in the Chinese army's tent.
Yuan Tan is eating.
After walking for a day, Yuan Tan was already hungry. He didn't care how the soldiers in the army were doing. He directly took the wine and ordered the soldiers to prepare meat. He slowly drank and ate meat to relieve the fatigue of the day.
While Yuan Tan was drinking and eating meat, the tent curtain was lifted and Xin Pi strode in.
Xinbi was a native of Yangzhai, Yingchuan, and a scholar of the Yingchuan Group. However, Xin Pi recognized Yuan Shao more and followed Yuan Shao early on, becoming Yuan Shao's counselor. In fact, Xin Pi's brother Xin Ping also served under Yuan Shao.
Today, Xin Ping is still with Yuan Shao.
Xinpi was transferred to Yuan Tan's side because Yuan Tan took the initiative to ask Yuan Shao for support.
When Xin Pi saw Yuan Tan's appearance, he frowned slightly and said proactively: "Young Master."
Yuan Tan drank a glass of wine, waved, and said with a smile: "Sir, sit down quickly, come and eat some meat and drink some wine to relieve your physical fatigue. We went south from Qingzhou and were exhausted all the way. Now we have arrived at Jiqiu. The county can finally take a good rest.”
Xinpi frowned even more.
How can one covet food and drink during a war?
Xinpi said sternly: "Young Master, we have just settled down. What we need to do now is to send someone to invite Zang Ba to discuss the next attack on Kuai Liang. Or, we can take Zang Ba with us to inquire about the surrounding areas. situation and determine the next strategy.”
Yuan Tan didn't take it seriously and said directly: "Food is the first thing for the people, and the temple of the five internal organs is the foundation. Now that I'm hungry, I naturally have to eat first. Only when I'm full can I have the strength to talk to Zang Ba about the follow-up war. Fight with Kuai Liang."
Xinpi couldn't persuade him and felt helpless.
Although Yuan Tan is Yuan Shao's eldest son, he is a middle-aged man. Of course, compared to the reckless Yuan Shang, he is pretty good. At least Yuan Tan can listen to advice when it comes to matters of right and wrong.
Xin Pi came forward and sat down, waiting for Yuan Tan to eat meat and drink wine.
"Boom! Boom!!"
Suddenly, the rapid sound of war drums came from outside the camp, and the sound was majestic.
Xin Pi stood up in a hurry and said, "My lord, Kuai Liang must be here with his army, ready to fight."
Yuan Tan took another swig of wine, stuffed a few pieces of meat into his mouth, chewed it and walked out. After leaving the tent, he stretched his neck, swallowed all the meat, and ordered: "The army must gather and prepare to fight."
He gave the order and took his guards and Simpi to the gate of the camp.
Yuan Tan waited for a while, and Zang Ba came.
Zang Ba is in his early thirties, with a burly physique and sharp eyes, especially his splayed eyebrows, which give him a fierce and fierce look.
Zang Ba was a native of Taishan County. When he was young, his father was an official in other places and served as the county jailer. Because he abided by the law and violated the wishes of the Taishan County magistrate, he was imprisoned by the magistrate for questioning.
In anger, Zang Ba gathered a group of knights, killed the prefect, kidnapped his father and fled to Donghai County. When Zang Ba was in Donghai County, he worked for Tao Qian and gradually built up his own power. Finally, he established himself in the Langya Kingdom and became the first overlord of the Langya Kingdom.
Zang Ba strode forward with his helmet on his head and his armor on his head. He saw that there were still personal guards standing next to Yuan Tan, and he sneered in his heart. Yuan Tan was still wary of him.
However, Zang Ba didn't mind either.
Anyway, Yuan Tan is about to die and won't live long.
Zang Ba cupped his fists and said, "Shijun Yuan."
Yuan Tan had a bad impression of Zang Ba, but he also put a smile on his face, nodded and said: "General Zang."
Yuan Tan glanced at Kuai Liang's army arrayed outside the camp again, smiled slightly, and said: "General Zang Ba, Kuai Liang has led his people to attack. You have always been very brave, how about you go and fight in person?"
Zang Ba snorted and retorted: "I heard that Yuan Shijun's general Wang Zhao is brave and good at fighting. At this time, it is Wang Zhao who goes to fight first. Could it be that Yuan Shijun has no confidence at all when facing Kuai Liang? Is that so? If you are timid, why are you talking about capturing Xuzhou? Why are you talking about defeating Yuan Shang and becoming the heir to the Jin Dynasty?"
Yuan Tan raised his eyebrows.
He couldn't stand such words. Who is Yuan Shang? Born from a second wife, he only knows how to wield swords and guns, but has no ability at all.
Yuan Tan immediately said: "Wang Zhao!"
"The general is here!"
Wang Zhao wore armor and rode out. He was holding a Xuanhua ax, his face was cold and solemn, and he looked very confident. As Yuan Tan's brave general, Wang Zhao had few rivals in the suppression of bandits in Qingzhou.
Yuan Tan ordered: "Go and challenge me and win the first prize for me."
"As you command!"
Wang Zhao galloped out.
Zang Ba looked at Wang Zhao who rushed out, with a sneer flashing in his eyes. Before he surrendered to Kuai Liang, he had met Kuai Liang face to face, and had also fought against Huang Zhong. With his strength, he was defeated in three moves in front of Huang Zhong, without any chance of protecting himself.
If Wang Zhao goes out to fight, he will die.
Just weakening Yuan Tan's power.
Wang Zhao galloped forward and rushed outside the camp in a blink of an eye. He held the Xuanhua ax, raised his head, pointed at Kuai Liang's military formation, and roared: "Kuai Liang, Wang Zhao of Qingzhou is here, do you dare to come out and fight?"
A smile appeared on Kuai Liang's face, but his eyes became colder.
This is a good way to die.
His eyes fell on Huang Zhong, and he smiled and said: "General Han Sheng, Wang Zhao is entrusted to you. You must establish your power in one battle and bring out the power of our Xuzhou."
"It reassures you."
Huang Zhong patted the horse's back and rushed out with a long sword in hand.
clatter! clatter! !
The sound of horse hooves was rapid, and Huang Zhong charged forward with all his strength.
Wang Zhao saw that the Huang Zhong who was killed was old and his beard was a little white. His eyes were even more contemptuous and he said disdainfully: "Old man, tell me your name. I, Wang Zhao, will not kill unknown people under my Xuanhua ax." "
Huang Zhonghu's eyes widened, staring at Wang Zhao in front of him, and he swung the reins of his horse to speed up. The red rabbit horse under his crotch was moved to the extreme, turning into a red fire and instantly reaching Wang Zhao.
"die!"
Huang Zhong drank low.
He swung the long knife in his hand, drew an arc in the air, and slashed it down with the force of Mount Tai.
